United Dairy vies for award

March 6, 2011

NAPERVILLE, Ill.-Quality Chekd Dairies announced this week the selection of United Dairy of Martins Ferry as one of four finalists competing for the 2011 Wayne Gingrich Award which recognizes the best single production plant. Named in honor of Quality Chekd's first production director and co-founder, the award is presented for total quality excellence at a single plant.

Joe L. Carson, president of United Dairy, stated that, "Our team works hard to identify ways in which we can raise the bar on quality production. Being named as a finalist for the Gingrich Award tells us we are on the right path."

Selection criteria for the Gingrich Award includes results of unannounced plant visits, an evaluation of a plant's process and systems for assuring product quality, and laboratory test scores. Quality Chekd, a member-owned organization of independent dairy processors, will announce the winner at its 2011 QCS Leadership Conference being held April 17-20 at the Union Station Marriott in St. Louis, Mo.

"Each year a Quality Chekd member distinguishes themselves in overall production quality" said Peter Horvath, president of the organization. "The Gingrich Award acknowledges top production and this year United Dairy in Martins Ferry has earned this recognition through their focus on an ongoing program of improving standards."

The Wayne Gingrich Award recognizes the Quality Chekd member dairy that achieves the highest annual scores for lab tests, plant assessments, customer communications, quality standards and quality measurement and control. The United Dairy plant in Martins Ferry will receive a plaque noting its achievement as a finalist for the Gingrich Award.